2024 DP World Tour Championship scores: Rory McIlroy, Tyrrell Hatton tied for lead after Round 1

McIlroy got off to a great start on Thursday as he aims for another Race to Dubai title

The Race to Dubai may be close to being over, but the quest for the 2024 DP World Tour Championship has just begun. Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy opened the European finale with a sizzling 5-under 67 to join his Ryder Cup teammate Tyrrell Hatton atop the leaderboard after the first day of action.

McIlroy entered the week with a substantial lead over Thirston Lawrence -- the only man who could mathematically usurp him -- in the season-long race and has already extended that advantage. Needing to finish no worse than solo 11th to guarantee his sixth career Race to Dubai title, McIlroy occupies the lead spot, while Lawrence (who was in need of a victory) sits in a tie for 37th in the 50-man field.

"I want to go on from here and win the golf tournament," McIlroy said. "I've opened up with a really good score, but I need to go out and play similarly over these next three days, not just to try to win the tournament but also try to get the job done in The Race to Dubai. Yeah, I'm under no illusions that that was probably Thriston's worst day. If he goes out and has three good ones, I still need to go out there and play some very solid golf."